Floyd County sheriff’s officials have asked the GBI to investigate an incident in which deputies used a Taser on a man who was about to be booked into the jail.
The incident happened early Jan. 8, when Juaun Porter was arrested by Rome police and taken to the jail, sheriff’s spokeswoman Cpl. Carrie Edge said Wednesday.
An internal investigation by sheriff’s officials found that Porter was in a physical altercation before he arrived at the jail and was “obviously intoxicated, appeared injured and upset,” Edge said.
The police assistant watch commander was notified that Porter would need a medical clearance at a hospital before he could be booked into the jail, Edge said.
“While city officers were discussing the matter, Mr. Porter was refusing to comply with jail officials and was subsequently tased,” Edge said.
At that time, the jail’s medical personnel determined Porter was unable to pass the medical criteria required for booking, Edge said.
Sheriff’s officials will complete their internal investigation while awaiting the outcome of the GBI probe, Edge said.
Floyd County is about 70 miles northwest of downtown Atlanta.
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